Markell signed the bill Thursday shortly after it passed the Democrat-controlled Senate on a straight party line vote.

The measure also received no Republican support when it passed the Democrat-led House earlier this month. Republicans say it sends the wrong message to young people, even though it keeps simple possession a criminal offense for anyone under 18.

NEW CASTLE, Del. (AP) - The panel that issues Delaware's official revenue forecast has given legislative budget writers a little more breathing room.

The Delaware Economic and Financial Advisory Council on Monday boosted the net revenue estimate for the current and upcoming fiscal years. The panel says revenues are up by about $33 million over last month's estimate, thanks mostly to personal and corporate income tax collections.

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) - Delaware's first medical marijuana dispensary will open on June 26, more than four years after lawmakers and Gov. Jack Markell first legalized pot for medicinal use.

The Wilmington News Journal reports The First Compassion Center, located outside of Wilmington, will open from 10:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Patient orientations are planned for June 18 and June 19 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Despite a 2009 executive order by Governor Jack Markell to increase the diversity of the state workforce a new report says that it has declined over the years.

The Wilmington News Journal reports that black state officials and administrators have declined from 21 percent six years ago to 20 percent.

A group of African American leaders including those from the NAACP of Delaware and the Interdenominational Ministers Action Council say they will organize an effort to confront discrimination in state government.

STANTON, Del. (AP) - Delaware Technical and Community College hosted an official unveiling ceremony to showcase the school's new nursing wing that drew a crowd of state and New Castle County leaders.

The Wilmington News Journal reports Gov. Jack Markell and other officials toured the new nursing wing in the Stanton campus Monday. Students have been working in the wing, which features labs, simulators and study spaces, since last August.

The legislation introduced Thursday aligns with a recommendation by a state panel formed by Democratic Gov. Jack Markell.

The panel, which studied how to make Delaware's revenues more predictable and aligned with economic conditions, noted that the estate tax is volatile and brings in little money - only $1.3 million last year.

DOVER, Del. (AP) - The state Supreme Court has rejected an appeal from the Republican candidate in last year's recorder of deeds race in Kent County.

The court ruled Thursday that a judge should have dismissed a petition filed by La Mar Gunn challenging the election results, rather than ordering a hand recount. That recount ended in a tie, and Democratic Gov. Jack Markell appointed Democratic incumbent Betty Lou McKenna to the office.

DOVER, Del. (AP) - A House committee is set to hold a pivotal hearing on legislation to abolish Delaware's death penalty.

The bill narrowly cleared the Senate last month. The chief House sponsor of the bill, however, concedes that he probably doesn't have enough votes in the judiciary committee to send the bill to the House floor.

Democratic Rep. Sean Lynn of Dover says he plans to take the politically risky option of trying to suspend rules and bring the bill straight to the floor.

DOVER, Del. (AP) - Democratic Gov. Jack Markell has come out in support of an effort to repeal Delaware's death penalty.

Markell said Thursday that if a bill to abolish capital punishment reaches his desk, he would sign it.

In recent years, Markell has refused to say where he stands on the issue.

But Markell said the recent acknowledgment by the FBI that examiners in its microscopic hair comparison unit gave flawed testimony in more than 250 criminal cases, including death penalty cases, before 2000, helped him reach a decision.

The Delaware state House of Representatives has given its blessing to a measure that would allow parents to opt out of standardized testing without their children suffering any disciplinary or academic consequences.

The vote was 36 to 3 with two lawmakers absent.

Governor Jack Markell has said that he opposes the legislation.

Fellow Democrat Representative John Kowalko who sponsored the bill said that this was not meant as any criticism of the governor’s record on education.

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) - Organizers of a conference being held in Wilmington are hoping to bring government agencies, nonprofits, businesses and faith-based groups together in an effort to end hunger in Delaware.

Gov. Jack Markell is among the scheduled speakers at Monday's conference, which is sponsored by The Food Bank of Delaware, Brae's Brown Bags and the Food Research and Action Center.

DOVER, Del. (AP) - The state Senate is poised to vote on a bill establishing a moratorium on new charter schools in Delaware.

The legislation to be voted on Tuesday creates a moratorium until June 2018 or until the state school board develops a strategic plan for the number of charter, traditional and vocational/technical schools in Delaware.

The legislation also calls for input to be accepted from the mayor and city council of Wilmington before any new charters are approved there.

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) - State officials are launching a new campaign aimed at reducing underage and binge drinking in Delaware.

Gov. Jack Markell and first lady Carla Markell planned to join public health officials and educators at Concord High School in Wilmington on Thursday for the launch of the campaign, which is aimed at young people from ages 12 to 25.

The new campaign is an extension of an existing program targeting underage drinking but will feature separate messaging for prevention.

DOVER, Del. (AP) - State officials are set to announce the first round of grants in a new program aimed to given Delaware high schools specialized training in high-demand career fields.

Gov. Jack Markell was scheduled to join education officials at Appoquinimink High School in Middletown and Polytech High School in Woodside on Wednesday to announce the state's first Pathways to Prosperity grants.

NEW CASTLE, Del. (AP) - Members of the Delaware legislature's budget-writing committee will have to sharpen their pencils again following another decline in projected revenues for the upcoming fiscal year.

The panel that sets the official revenue forecast on Monday lowered its estimate of revenue available for fiscal 2016 by $21.7 million compared to last month, when the estimate fell by $45 million.

The latest revision means revenue estimates have fallen about $67 million since Democratic Gov. Jack Markell proposed a $3.9 billion budget in January.